Oral Presentation on the Western Sahara Conflict .pdf
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Oral Presentation on the Western Sahara Con ict Part 1: Geography The Western Sahara con ict centers on a sparsely populated desert region in North Africa, bordered by Morocco, Algeria, and Mauritania. This region, rich in phosphate resources and...
Oral Presentation on the Western Sahara Con ict Part 1: Geography The Western Sahara con ict centers on a sparsely populated desert region in North Africa, bordered by Morocco, Algeria, and Mauritania. This region, rich in phosphate resources and potentially o shore oil, has been the subject of territorial disputes since the mid-20th century. The geographic signi cance of Western Sahara lies not only in its natural resources but also in its strategic location along the Atlantic coast. The dispute over this territory began when Spain, the colonial ruler of Western Sahara, initiated steps towards decolonization in the early 1970s. Both Morocco and the Sahrawi nationalist movement, known as Polisario Front, laid claims to the territory, leading to an ongoing con ict over sovereignty and self-determination. Part 2: History The Western Sahara con ict formally began in 1975 after Spain's withdrawal. Morocco claimed the northern two-thirds of Western Sahara, while Mauritania claimed the southern third, leaving the indigenous Sahrawi people and their Polisario Front marginalized. Following Mauritania’s withdrawal in 1979, Morocco annexed the entire territory, escalating the con ict with Polisario, who declared the Saharan Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) in 1976. The ensuing decades saw intermittent warfare, with Polisario conducting guerrilla attacks against Moroccan forces. International e orts for resolution included a United Nations (UN)-brokered cease re in 1991, which proposed a referendum on self-determination. However, disagreements over voter eligibility stalled the referendum, leaving the con ict unresolved. Part 3: Politics The political landscape of the Western Sahara con ict involves multiple stakeholders, including Morocco, Polisario Front, and Algeria, with the latter providing substantial support to Polisario. Morocco's political stance has been rm on integrating Western Sahara into its sovereign territory, o ering autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty but rejecting full independence. Polisario, representing the Sahrawi people's aspirations for independence, has consistently called for a referendum including the option of independence. International actors like the United Nations and the African Union have mediated but faced challenges due to the rigid positions of both primary adversaries. Notable political e orts include the Baker Plans, proposed by former U.S. Secretary of State James Baker, which aimed to balance autonomy and self-determination but ultimately failed due to mutual distrust and political maneuvering. Part 4: Facts 1. Duration: The con ict has lasted over 43 years, starting in 1975 and remaining unresolved. 2. Key Figures: King Hassan II and his successor King Mohammed VI of Morocco, and leaders of Polisario, such as Mohamed Abdelaziz. 3. Interventions: The UN has been a major mediator, initiating peace plans and cease res, with signi cant roles played by individual mediators like James Baker. 4. Key Events: - 1975: Spain withdraws, leading to Moroccan and Mauritanian claims. - 1976: Polisario declares the Saharan Arab Democratic Republic (SADR). - 1991: UN-brokered cease re and proposed referendum. 5. Current Status: The con ict remains unresolved, with the 1991 cease re largely holding but no political resolution achieved. The proposed referendum has not taken place due to disputes over voter eligibility. 6. Impact: The con ict has resulted in prolonged displacement for Sahrawi people, mostly in refugee camps in Algeria, and signi cant military and economic costs for Morocco. ff fi ff ff fi fl fl fl fl fl fi ff fl fi fi fl fl fl fi fl fi fi Conclusion: The Western Sahara con ict began with competing territorial claims following decolonization, continued through decades of military engagements and failed peace initiatives, and remains unresolved due to entrenched political positions and disputes over self-determination. Despite international mediation e orts and the UN cease re, the core issue of sovereignty and independence versus autonomy under Moroccan rule has prevented a lasting resolution. The ongoing stalemate underscores the challenges of reconciling national aspirations with geopolitical realities in a region marked by historical grievances and strategic interests. fl ff fi
